FACTORS AFFECTING THE DENSITY AND DISTRIBUTION OF WOLD DOGS IN THE KRUGER-NATIONAL-PARK

African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) are a seriously endangered species w ith only around 5000 individuals left. We examined the factors likely to be affecting the distribution and density of wild dogs living in th e Kruger National Park, South Africa. We collected data, by traditiona l and satellite radio-tracking, on diet selection, sizes of packs, dis persion and sizes of territories, and patterns of habitat selection fo r eight packs of wild dogs In Kruger wild dogs specialize on impala (A epyceros melampus) and kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros). They live in p acks averaging about nine dogs and inhabit territories of 350-950 km(2 ). Neighboring territories overlap to some extent but packs meet very rarely. The dispersion pattern of food plays only a minor role in dete rmining the density and distribution of dogs in the Kruger; dogs exist at their lowest density where their food is most abundant This appare nt paradox comes about because the dogs seem to avoid areas that, alth ough prey-rich, are heavily used by lions. This is a sensible strategy because lions are a major cause of dog mortality, accounting for some 39% of natural pup deaths and at least 43% of natural adult deaths. W ild dogs may be conserved most successfully in areas with moderate to low densities of lions and spotted hyenas, and management strategies s hould be careful not to promote these species to the detriment of wild dogs and other carnivores The densities of lions and spotted hyenas s hould be important criteria when considering an area for the reintrodu ction of wild dogs and other similar sized carnivores.